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S Bernard Pollard, Kansas City Chiefs

HT: 6-2, WT: 219, Born: 12-23-1984, College: Purdue, Drafted: Round 2

2008 Projections

Best Case

Bernard Pollard may have a huge season this year. With the Chiefs struggling in full rebuilding mode, a questionable pass rush and the possibility of seriously undersized middle and weak side linebackers, Pollard may have plenty of opportunity to rack up tackles. As the team faded during the second half of 2007, Pollard racked up 43 solos. That pace was better than any of the team's starting linebackers and made him a top five IDP DB over that period. It may sound like a stretch, but the chance at 90 solos and some decent coverage stats gives Pollard a shot at the #1 overall DB slot this year.

Worst Case

There are a couple things working against Pollard reaching that lofty height, however. First, Herman Edwards likes to run Cover-2. Even a downhill player like Pollard may have trouble converting run support opportunity if he consistently lines up 12 yards off the line of scrimmage. Second, the Chiefs drafted another potentially solid all-around safety in DaJuan Morgan this season. Edwards isn't shy about playing rookies, nor is he opposed to rotating safeties (as he did with Greg Wesley over the past two seasons). Both issues could affect Pollard's tackle production.

Outlook

Pollard has an excellent opportunity to land firmly in the top ten this season. The potential lack of pass rush could keep the Chiefs from using a lot of Tampa-2 and the defense is likely to be on the field facing a well above-average number of rush attempts. Pollard will probably be considered a DB2 in most drafts this season, but his upside should allow him to easily exceed those expectations.

Writeups last modified: 2008-04-30 12:56:43